Ch.122A Brief Rest – 1

“Well, this is quite something. I never expected the Arbiter would suggest a trip like this!”

“It’s not a trip, Hyunwoo Lee. We’re just going somewhere to rest.”

“Isn’t that the same thing? Anyway, this is great! I’m looking forward to it! A vacation home!”

While everyone else remains calm, only Hyunwoo is bustling with excitement.

Like someone who’s never had a weekend off… wait, could it be? Has he really never rested?

Come to think of it, that might be possible. If it’s Hyunwoo we’re talking about, it’s entirely plausible.

Seeing his excitement-filled face, he’s definitely not someone who rests on weekends!

“Unnie. You mentioned you’ve been there before when invited by Chairman Minseong Kang, right?”

“Yes. My father was quite close to the Chairman. It was when I was young.”

“I see. As soon as I heard about this trip, my grandfather told me to go. Especially since it’s Chairman Minseong Kang himself who gave permission to use his vacation home.”

Hana Kang and Dasom Yoo are chattering away in the back seats.

One has the Clan Master of Matap, one of Korea’s top clans, as her father.

The other is the precious daughter of “Future,” one of the massive corporations.

Going to a vacation home to rest probably doesn’t seem particularly new or impressive to them.

Nevertheless, the ‘Kang’ family’s vacation home seems special even to them.

When both the Matap Clan Master and a corporate executive director are impressed, it says something.

It reminded me again just how remarkable Minseong Kang’s family truly is.

‘Finally, Soohyun… Sigh. I’m sorry, Soohyun.’

Soohyun, sitting next to me, has been watching me carefully for a while now.

I can hear it, I really can. I can almost hear Soohyun’s resentment toward me.

What was I thinking, being so insensitive? Soohyun wanted us to go alone, didn’t I realize that?

Of course I knew. I definitely knew. I also understand why she suddenly made such a suggestion.

Recently, I’ve been looking extremely tired and exhausted. She wanted me to get some rest.

That was the reason Soohyun gave. Of course, that reason was sincere too.

But that wasn’t all. I’m certain of it. Because I saw it before.

That day when I was practically dragged to Rina Lee’s house, I saw Soohyun’s expression as she stood in front of that house.

It was the expression of someone who had their most precious thing in the world stolen from them.

I think that’s when Soohyun started thinking about suggesting this vacation home trip.

She must have felt threatened. Rina Lee suddenly came charging in.

While Soohyun was approaching gradually, at a moderate pace,

This crazy woman didn’t care about such things and just charged straight ahead.

So she planned to spend time with me this weekend under the pretext of rest.

She must have asked Chairman Minseong Kang and prepared everything in just a few days.

Honestly, when I heard her suggestion, I hesitated quite a bit.

Should I go along with it and spend time alone with her? Should I show that I’m a man too?

No, honestly, when these beautiful women keep approaching a perfectly healthy man like me.

If I keep rejecting them, wouldn’t that be a crime rather than just being standoffish?

“Soohyun.”

“Yes, yes! Arbiter.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Actually, it’s my first time resting at a vacation home.”

“Oh. Is that so?! That’s great!”

But I had to withdraw from that idea for several reasons.

First, the current situation isn’t exactly conducive for such an endeavor.

Hana Kang almost died, and Jinhyuk Ryu actually did die.

The world is in chaos due to the Great Change that came much earlier than expected.

The Elder bastards have truly started acting as a group.

Because of that, my head was throbbing. To the point where I couldn’t focus on anything else.

‘And one more thing. If I went alone with Soohyun…’

If I did that, it would be like inviting that crazy woman, Rina Lee.

She’s definitely keeping an eye on me, one way or another.

In such a situation, if she hears that Soohyun and I went to a vacation home alone, hand in hand?

I guarantee she would drop everything and rush to the vacation home.

And she would thoroughly ruin Soohyun’s expectations.

Because of that, the already strained relationship between the two would deteriorate further.

This time, it’s the right thing to do, even for Soohyun’s sake.

When the situation calms down a bit, and my thoughts are somewhat organized.

Plus, when it’s certain that Rina Lee can’t interfere,

Then I’ll gladly accept Soohyun’s “just the two of us” suggestion.

‘I’m sorry, Soohyun. Just this once, I’ll be the insensitive Arbiter.’

…Maybe next time too. Anyway, I’m really, really sorry!

*

“…Arbiter.”

“Yes, Hyunwoo Lee.”

“You definitely said vacation home, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But this… no matter how I look at it, this isn’t a vacation home but a royal palace?”

I found myself nodding at Hyunwoo’s completely serious remark.

What was unfolding before our eyes was truly at the level of a palace.

I’m not exaggerating even a bit. It really looks like a palace!

‘You said vacation home. Is this a vacation home? If this is a vacation home, then a regular vacation home must be the size of a one-pyeong house.’

I never imagined I’d be overwhelmed by the transcendent scale of the vacation home as soon as I saw it.

What I had in mind for a vacation home was, how should I put it, a private pension with a swimming pool?

That’s exactly what I was expecting, but what do you know. This completely shattered those expectations.

Hyunwoo’s mention of a royal palace wasn’t just a simple rhyme or joke.

“Welcome, miss. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“You must be the guests mentioned by those who arrived earlier! It’s an honor to meet you!”

Servants working at the vacation home rush out to greet us.

Their number easily exceeds thirty, just at a rough estimate.

Yes, thirty. Not three, not ten, but thirty. 30 people.

What’s even more surprising is that this number has been reduced as much as possible.

Apparently, they kept only the minimum staff for managing the vacation home because Soohyun dislikes noise.

“Let’s go, Arbiter. This is our vacation home where we’ll rest until tomorrow.”

Soohyun holds my hand and smiles brightly.

The slight disappointment that was on her face earlier seems to have disappeared.

While I feel relieved about that, I’m also shocked by the sight before me.

The swimming pool in front of the vacation home caught my eye first.

More precisely, a swimming pool large enough to hold freestyle swimming competitions.

“…Is that a swimming pool, or a lake?”

Hyunwoo, who was following behind, seemed to be as astonished as I was.

He was muttering to himself about whether it was a swimming pool or a lake, and I found myself nodding in agreement.

From the perspective of ordinary commoners like Hyunwoo and me, it was truly…

“Oh. Come to think of it, if it’s this big, I could use swimming as a substitute for training.”

Damn, get lost. This crazy guy is talking about swimming and training even in this situation.

“Wow. This place is amazing! We have similar vacation homes overseas, but it’s too hot and humid there, so honestly, they don’t suit me well!”

“I agree. I also have an island vacation home that my father owns, but somehow overseas doesn’t suit me well.”

…Right. Come to think of it, all the women on this team are bourgeoisie.

At first glance, they might seem like ordinary academy students, but in reality, they’re all daughters of incredible families!

I felt a bit guilty for being the only one resting like this.

So I did something insensitive, but now I see it was unnecessary.

If I had known this, should I have just come with Soohyun, just the two of us?

“There are rooms like this, so each of you can take one and rest.”

“Hmm. Unnie! I want to share a room with you! Would you like to share a room with me?!”

“Um… sure? I think it would be better for me to share with you, Dasom, rather than being alone.”

When Hana Kang and Dasom Yoo say that, Soohyun guides them to another room.

She says something about this room being more spacious if they’re going to share.

Indeed, Hyunwoo’s comment about it being like a palace was not an exaggeration at all.

Without a single lie, one room is almost as big as an entire vacation home.

Staying alone in such a place might make one feel lonely and strange.

“Hmm. Arbiter. Would you like to share a room with me?”

Hyunwoo, who seemed to have similar thoughts, subtly suggests sharing a room.

Not a bad idea. I was thinking of having a more serious conversation with Hyunwoo anyway.

Having lost a team member in such a ridiculous way, Hyunwoo’s position has become even more important.

“Should we? The room does seem too spacious…”

“No! No!! A-Arbiter, you’ll have a room to yourself!!”

“Huh?”

“R-right? Arbiter?!”

Suddenly, Soohyun, who was beside me, interrupts with an extremely loud voice.

I don’t think she’s ever raised her voice this loudly, even when confronting Rina Lee.

If she’s this urgent, there must be a good reason for it.

Even though I’ve been insensitive and brought others here,

I’m not so dense as to completely misread the situation again.

If Soohyun is acting like this, there must be a reason. Let’s go along with it.

“…Y-yes. That’s right, Soohyun. I’m sorry, Hyunwoo Lee. I, I’d like to have a spacious room to myself!”

“Ah… um, yes! I understand! I apologize!”

Fortunately, Hyunwoo wasn’t completely insensitive either.

*

While resting in my room, I heard some commotion outside.

I opened the balcony door slightly and saw three people splashing around in the swimming pool.

Come to think of it, early summer is approaching.

It’s not extremely hot weather, but it’s not too cold to immerse oneself in water.

Plus, I’ve been training hard lately, so my body is in good condition.

If I had a pot belly, it would be a different story, but it would be a shame not to show off these princely muscles!

I changed into swimwear and casually put on a shirt over it.

The servants said they would prepare dinner, so I can rest until then.

“Oh! Arbiter, you’ve come out!”

Someone might think a gang boss has appeared or something.

You don’t need to announce it like that, Hyunwoo.

“Arbiter! Let’s swim together! I’ve won every race so far!”

“Oh come on! Junior, do you really have to brag about winning everything?!”

“That’s right. We’re not physical types to begin with, so we couldn’t win anyway!”

So he’s been winning against a Magic Class and a Support Class and is happy about it.

Moreover, you’re a muscular man, and they’re two delicate women.

I was shaking my head and walking towards the swimming pool.

Just as I stepped down the stairs, I made direct eye contact with Soohyun who was at the bottom.

“Oh.”

“Ah…”

Um… oh, well. Soohyun is… quite… developed. Ahem. Hmm.